Liverpool 2024/25: Can Slot’s Tactical Overhaul Lead to Premier League Glory? | OneFootball

Liverpool Season Preview 2024/25 – Tactical View

The Anticipation Builds

Ah, the Premier League is finally back, and I find myself strangely giddy. After a summer of no football—where I somehow became a connoisseur of artistic swimming at the Olympics and finally caught up on all those Netflix shows—I’m back where I belong, worrying about Liverpool’s next lineup, hanging on the words from every press conference and scouring the injury updates. But, like many of you, I’ve missed the highs and lows, the unpredictability of it all. So here we are, back on the rollercoaster, with that familiar blend of excitement and trepidation.

The 2023/24 season feels like it only just ended, yet here we are again, ready to dive into the chaos of a new campaign. As the dust settles from last season, it’s time to ask: what can we expect from Liverpool in 2024/25?

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s Tactical Overhaul

Arne Slot might be new to the dugout, but he’s certainly not new to Liverpool. The Dutchman has been quietly studying the team over the past six months, soaking up every detail, and it shows. His early assessments of the squad’s strengths and weaknesses have been spot on.

Slot’s philosophy revolves around patience in possession—something Liverpool desperately need after the frenetic style that became synonymous with the final years of Klopp’s reign. Last season, Liverpool averaged an astonishing 20.6 shots per match, the highest across Europe’s top five leagues. While that level of attacking fervour was thrilling, it often left the team exposed. Every player seemed intent on pushing forward, and as a result, control was sacrificed at crucial moments.

Slot’s challenge has been to tame that chaos without stifling the attacking flair that defines Liverpool. In a recent interview, he summed it up perfectly: “We’re trying to find the balance between creating chaos and maintaining possession.” It’s a fine line, but it’s a line Slot is determined to walk.

The tactical shift extends to the defensive side of the game as well. Slot has introduced a 4-4-2 structure when defending, a formation that offers both horizontal and vertical coverage. The pressing game has also been adjusted, making the team more compact and harder to break down. All in all, Slot’s work on the training ground has been nothing short of transformative. But, of course, the real test will come once the competitive matches begin.

Photo: IMAGO

Transfer Market Mysteries

Now, let’s talk about the transfer market—or rather, the lack of action in it. Heading into this summer, I didn’t expect a flurry of signings, but even I’m surprised by the complete absence of new faces. Liverpool were linked with several promising players—Leny Yoro and Martín Zubimendi among them—but none of those deals materialised.

Richard Hughes, Michael Edwards, and the rest of the recruitment team identified the right targets, but for various reasons, those moves never came to fruition. It’s frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. As Slot himself said in a pre-match press conference, “If you don’t strengthen, you become weaker? I don’t understand that. The training ground really helps the team to improve.”

Liverpool may not have added to the squad, but let’s not forget the quality already in place. Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah—these are world-class players who can still make a difference. And then there’s the newer blood: Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz. These players bring fresh energy and creativity to the side.

Would a couple of new signings have helped? Absolutely. But the squad isn’t in dire straits, despite what some might suggest. The gap between Liverpool and the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal remains significant, but it hasn’t widened to an insurmountable degree. If anything, the continuity might allow Slot to better implement his tactical vision.

Photo: IMAGO

The Floor and The Ceiling

So, where does that leave us? Realistically, Liverpool’s floor for this season is third place. Barring a catastrophe, it’s hard to see them finishing any lower. The team has too much talent and too much experience to fall out of the top four. But what about the ceiling? That’s where things get interesting.

Liverpool averaged over 20 shots per game last season while facing around 11. Slot’s adjustments should see both figures decrease slightly, with the aim being greater control on both ends of the pitch. If Liverpool can reduce the number of shots they concede and maintain their attacking threat, they could find themselves in the title race come March.

It’s not a guarantee, of course. Football is nothing if not unpredictable, but there’s a quiet confidence brewing at Anfield. Liverpool may not be the favourites, but they’re certainly in the mix. In my mind, they’re the underdogs—the dark horses with the potential to surprise everyone.

Season of Possibilities

As we head into the new season, the excitement is palpable. Slot has laid the groundwork for something special, and while the lack of new signings might be a concern, it’s not the defining factor. The key will be how well the team adapts to Slot’s tactical tweaks and how consistently they can perform over the course of the campaign.

Liverpool are likely to be there or thereabouts come the business end of the season. Whether they’re challenging for the title or securing a top-four finish, one thing is for sure: it’s going to be a wild ride. So buckle up, because the rollercoaster is about to begin once again.

And as for me? Well, I’ll be back to walking the dog with one eye on the injury updates, and my Netflix binge-watching will have to wait until next summer. After all, there’s only so much time in a day, and Liverpool have my full attention once again.